Commanders fantasy football starts and sits for Week 15 at the Saints
By Seth Jones
The Washington Commanders got back on track with a blowout win versus the Tennessee Titans. With the bye week successfully navigated, Dan Quinn's squad is well-rested heading into their playoff push.
The Commanders take on the New Orleans Saints in a game that benefits fantasy players all across the board. The NFC South team has struggled this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The first round of the fantasy football playoffs represents a good opportunity to put Washington's playmakers to work.
Which Commanders platers should you start or sit in Week 15? Let's take a look.
All stats are courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
Commanders fantasy football starts and sits for Week 15
Starts
Jayden Daniels
The last two weeks before the bye week were bounce-back fantasy performances for quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Titans game was especially encouraging to see. He isn't a sure-fire play every week, but he is back in high-end QB1 status.
Daniels is facing a Saints defense that is the 10th-best in fantasy points allowed to the quarterback position. This has more to do with how opposing offenses can run the football effectively versus New Orleans. It shouldn't hurt the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft as his rushing upside makes him match-up proof.
This game should be one that the Commanders win comfortably. Passing and rushing touchdowns should come Daniels' way en route to racking up a big lead. Start him as a high-end QB1 this week.
Brian Robinson Jr.
Even with only playing 47 percent of the snaps due to the quick multi-score lead on the Titans, Brian Robinson Jr. had his bounce-back game after suffering injuries for the past month.
Robinson's role is increasingly crucial, especially with Austin Ekeler being out with a concussion. There will still be a timeshare with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. earning touches, but the Alabama product will see the bulk of snaps.
The Saints are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to the running back position in 2024, making this a great match-up for Robinson. With the amount of snaps teams run against New Orleans and the amount of carries the former third-round pick gets, you should expect good yardage and likely a touchdown.
Start Robinson as a high-end RB2 this week.
Terry McLaurin
Even after the Commanders' bye week, Terry McLaurin sits at WR5 on the season in PPR (points per reception) leagues. It has been a dominant season for the wideout. That should only continue this week against the Saints.
Just like against running backs, the Saints are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to the wide receiver spot in 2024. With Noah Brown out, McLaurin gets even more focus. However, with Marshon Lattimore coming over the Commanders at the trade deadline, the Saints don't seem to have any cornerbacks that can defend him well.
When McLaurin features heavily and produces the goods, the Commanders normally win. Daniels knows he needs to get his most prolific pass-catcher the ball, especially against a lackluster Saints secondary.
Start McLaurin as a WR1 this week.
Zach Ertz
The Saints are the 11th-best fantasy defense versus tight ends this season. However, Zach Ertz is still worth a start unless you have one of the elite options.
Ertz is the TE10 on the season. He should be the locked-in second option after McLaurin with Brown on injured reserve. We all know how much Daniels likes throwing to the Pro Bowler.
Start Ertz as a low-end TE1 this week.
Commanders defense
Derek Carr is out this week for the Saints, meaning the offense will be relying on backup Jake Haener to get the job done. They won't even have the Swiss army knife that is Taysom Hill to depend on. The Commanders' defense isn't a great unit, but they beat up on bad offenses.
Start Joe Whitt Jr.'s unit this week.
Sits
Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr.
If the Commanders jump out to a big lead right away, McNichols and Rodriguez could end up with a lot of touches, and therefore solid fantasy finishes. Even without a substantial lead, they will both be somewhat involved in the runningback rotation. However, we can't predict that for sure beforehand.
Keep McNichols and Rodriguez on benches and waivers this week.
Commanders wide receivers
The Commanders claimed K.J. Osborn off waivers, so expect him to get into the wide receiver rotation relatively soon with the news that Brown could be out for the season. However, the recent addition will be very limited this week, so he is not worth playing in any leagues.
Luke McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Dyami Brown are still the same story. Even with Brown out, you can't expect any of these receivers to get enough snaps or looks to be fantasy-relevant.
Until one starts consistently producing, they should all be left on benches. If one does begin to consistently produce, the most likely candidate is McCaffrey.
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